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Birkenhead House

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Location: Garden Route & Little Karoo South Africa Price guide: £££££

Birkenhead House is a luxurious and superbly elegant boutique hotel perched high on the clifftops overlooking Walker Bay. Ideally located for in-season whale watching, this manor house combines 18^th century antiques with beach-house décor to form one of the most stylish options on South Africa’s southern coast.

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Perfect for

A true taste of South African seaside living - for people seeking a slice of ultimate luxury.

In the know

Best whale viewing is between June and November.
Classically beautiful suites padded with 18^th century antiques.
Offers a creative mix of modern African and Asian cuisine.
Has a glorious list of relaxing spa treatments.
Only a short drive from the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, where you can sample the superb and locally produced Pinot Noirs, Chardonnays and Sauvignon Blancs.

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Recommended for...

Setting & Views

Honeymoon

Luxury Hotel

Peace & Quiet

Sense of place

Flanked by two beach coves and facing the sea, the Birkenhead House is set on the beachside cliffs at the far end of Hermanus.

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Rooms at Birkenhead House

Classic, charming and sophisticated, Birkenhead House has 11 individually designed suites, each decorated with classic pieces collected from the travels of owner, Liz Biden, including French four-poster beds, freestanding Victorian baths and glittering bedroom chandeliers.
Room 4 has marvellous views of the sea - which can be viewed from the private balcony, the plush king-sized bed framed by a gold headboard and from the hand-carved antique chairs – making it one of our favourite suites.

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Food and drink

Birkenhead House offers a host of culinary creations with a delicate mix of modern African cuisine with strong Asian and Italian influences. Lit by lanterns, the terrace is an oasis dining room for summer evenings, where you can enjoy exotic meals of vanilla and butternut soup followed by a desert of tempura strawberries with homemade ice cream.

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Facilities

For those looking to truly while away the stresses and strains, head for the ‘Lavender’ and ‘Cinnamon’ rooms to indulge in a medley of relaxing massage, aromatherapy and reflexology treatments. As well as a spa, the hotel has two small swimming pools – the best one is set right on the lip of the sea facing terrace.

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Activities at Birkenhead House

Hermanus is the whale watching capital of South Africa and a stay at Birkenhead House (between the months of June and November) means you’ll have these incredible creatures right on your door step. Voyage around Dyer Island, kayak along the coast or for a pulse raising adventure, head under the ocean (in a cage, of course) to come face to face with one of nature's most feared predators in an exhilarating shark dive.
Join the chefs one morning as they forage for shellfish in the shallows of Walker Bay and then learn the art of cooking mussels to perfection on an open fire.

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Best time to go

Best time to travel

Good time to travel (but some limitations)

Travel is possible (but it’s not the best time)

Travel is not recommended

Best time to go

Jan-Mar , Oct-Dec

MAP & PRACTICAL

1.5 hours from Cape Town International Airport.

START PLANNING YOUR NEXT TRIP... call our team on 020 7337 9010 Make an enquiry now

Stay at this hotel on these trips

FLAGSHIP SOUTH AFRICA

South Africa in Exsus Signature Style

South Africa

From £9,850 per person

Best for: First-timers, Food & Wine, Landscapes & Scenery, Train Journey

FLAGSHIP SOUTH AFRICA

13 nights VIEW THIS ITINERARY

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Birkenhead House

Perfect for

In the know

Recommended for...

Sense of place

Rooms at Birkenhead House

Food and drink

Facilities

Activities at Birkenhead House

Best time to go

Best time to go

MAP & PRACTICAL

South Africa in Exsus Signature Style

FLAGSHIP SOUTH AFRICA

Samara Private Game Reserve

Morukuru Ocean House

African Relish

Emily Moon

The Marine

Turbine Hotel & Spa

Grootbos

Ocean Eleven Guest House

Kurland

The Manor House Fancourt Estate

Tsala Treetop Lodge

De Kelders Private Villa

The Plettenberg

Schoone Oordt Country House

Not ready to travel? Sign up for future inspiration

Receive articles, offers and travel suggestions from our specialists.